초록 ▼

A self-aligning, sealing assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a sealing apparatus and at least one preloading device. The sealing assembly is mounted in machinery which has a rotating shaft and a stationary member with an inner surface which is spaced from and surrounds a shaft

A self-aligning, sealing assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a sealing apparatus and at least one preloading device. The sealing assembly is mounted in machinery which has a rotating shaft and a stationary member with an inner surface which is spaced from and surrounds a shaft. A slot is located in and extends around the inner surface of the stationary member. The slot has an upstream surface, a downstream surface, and an outer surface. The sealing apparatus is adjustably disposed in the slot and has an inner surface, an outer surface, an upstream surface and a downstream surface. Labyrinth seal teeth extend radially inward from the inner surface of the sealing apparatus. Each tooth is radially spaced from the shaft to form a non-contact seal. A space between the outer surface of the ring and the inner surface of the slot is designed to accommodate radial movement of the ring resulting from radial movement of the shaft. The preloading device has first and second ends, with the first end abutting the upstream surface of the slot and the second end abutting an opposing surface of the sealing apparatus. The preloading device ensures sufficient frictional forces between the ring and the slot to support the weight of the sealing apparatus when an insufficient pressure difference exists.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A sealing structure for a shaft, the shaft extending along and rotating about a central axis, a stationary member having an inner surface which is spaced from and surrounds the shaft, and a slot located in and extending around the inner surface of the member, the slot hav

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A sealing structure for a shaft, the shaft extending along and rotating about a central axis, a stationary member having an inner surface which is spaced from and surrounds the shaft, and a slot located in and extending around the inner surface of the member, the slot having an outer surface, an upstream surface, and a downstream surface, the structure comprising:a sealing apparatus being disposed in the slot, the sealing apparatus having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upstream surface and a downstream surface;a space between the outer surface of the sealing apparatus and the outer surface of the slot to accommodate radial movement of the sealing apparatus, the space extending all around the outer surface of the sealing apparatus; andone or more preloading devices, each of the preloading devices applying a force in a substantially axial direction between the upstream surface and the downstream surface of the slot to support the weight of the sealing apparatus.